Constitutional Principles: Separated Powers, Federalism and Individual Rights and Liberties
We will begin by reviewing the principles that are the basis on the Constitution, and how the principles vary slightly for the United States and Texas. While we are at it, we will also review the principles underlying the entire idea of governance - those articluated in the Declaration of Independence.
I want you to write a 200 word answer to a general question about each set of readings. The point behind the readings is to get you comfortable with the purpose of govrnment, as envisioned by the founders, and the broad principles underlying the Constitution. The rest of the semester we will drill down into the separate components of the American governmental system and hopefully come to an understanding of how these separate parts work to establish public policy.
1 - I want you to begin with a 200 word description of the argument in the Declaration of Independence (the link is above), and what the authors and signers of the document felt was the purpose of government. Also compare these points with those made in the preamble of the Constitution. The purpose of this exercise is to make clear what American Government is supposed to do.
2 - Next I want you to gloss through the U.S. Constitution and describe its general outline, again in 200 words. No need to get lost in the nuances at this time, there will be enought time for that later. There are a small handful of articles in the document. Describe each and speculate about their purposes. This is to get you comfortable with the document we will get to know this semester.
3 - Now spend a bit more time on the institutions established on the first three articles. These are our separated powers: the legislative, executive and judicial. The readings I've linked you to describe the purposes of the separated powers and the nature of the institutions that have been vested with each of the powers. Again, in 200 words outline the overall design of these institutions and the intent of the separated powers.
4 - Finally, I want you to write 200 words on the three types of checks and balances described above. Describe and point out the conflicts associated with each. These are the precise means that the separated powers are kept separate. Much of the conflict we see in government is actually these checks in action.
Due date: March 22
Email the assignment to me at:**kjefferies@alvincollege.edu** Please use either Microsoft Word, or paste the assignment into the email.
Week One
Constitutional Principles: Separated Powers, Federalism and Individual Rights and Liberties
We will begin by reviewing the principles that are the basis on the Constitution, and how the principles vary slightly for the United States and Texas. While we are at it, we will also review the principles underlying the entire idea of governance - those articluated in the Declaration of Independence.
Readings
1 - The Declaration of Independence
2 - The U.S. Constitution
3 - The Separated Powers
- The Legislature - Read the intro and "The Theory Elaborated and Implemented."
- The Executive - Read the "Creation of the Presidency."
- The Judiciary - Read the opening paragraph and "One Supreme Court."
4 - Checks and Balances
- Legislative Oversight
- Executive Privilege and the Unitary Executive
- Judicial Review
Here are terms that will be useful in this discussion
Assignments:
I want you to write a 200 word answer to a general question about each set of readings. The point behind the readings is to get you comfortable with the purpose of govrnment, as envisioned by the founders, and the broad principles underlying the Constitution. The rest of the semester we will drill down into the separate components of the American governmental system and hopefully come to an understanding of how these separate parts work to establish public policy.
1 - I want you to begin with a 200 word description of the argument in the Declaration of Independence (the link is above), and what the authors and signers of the document felt was the purpose of government. Also compare these points with those made in the preamble of the Constitution. The purpose of this exercise is to make clear what American Government is supposed to do.
2 - Next I want you to gloss through the U.S. Constitution and describe its general outline, again in 200 words. No need to get lost in the nuances at this time, there will be enought time for that later. There are a small handful of articles in the document. Describe each and speculate about their purposes. This is to get you comfortable with the document we will get to know this semester.
3 - Now spend a bit more time on the institutions established on the first three articles. These are our separated powers: the legislative, executive and judicial. The readings I've linked you to describe the purposes of the separated powers and the nature of the institutions that have been vested with each of the powers. Again, in 200 words outline the overall design of these institutions and the intent of the separated powers.
4 - Finally, I want you to write 200 words on the three types of checks and balances described above. Describe and point out the conflicts associated with each. These are the precise means that the separated powers are kept separate. Much of the conflict we see in government is actually these checks in action.
Due date: March 22
Email the assignment to me at: **kjefferies@alvincollege.edu**
Please use either Microsoft Word, or paste the assignment into the email.
Commentary forthcoming